October Term 2024 · Docket 23-753
Can EPA set flexible goals instead of specific discharge limits?
San Francisco argues EPA must set specific discharge limits. EPA argues it can set flexible goals.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Ms. Steeley argued EPA must translate water quality goals into specific discharge limits.
Ms. Steeley stated the city needs clear limits to ensure compliance.
Mr. Liu argued the Court previously rejected San Francisco's narrow reading.
Mr. Liu stated the statutory text supports both specific and flexible limits.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 19-45 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 19-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 103, lines 51-35 — Transcript, file page 103, lines 51-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 43-25 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 43-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-51 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 51-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 55-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 27-25 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 27-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 55-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 47-9 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 47-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 51-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 33-41 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 33-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 55-41 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 55-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 51-11 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 51-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 55-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-31 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-53 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 43-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 9-15
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The dispute centers on how the Clean Water Act defines effluent limitations. San Francisco claims the law requires specific numeric limits. EPA claims the law allows flexible performance goals.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 103, lines 51-35 — Transcript, file page 103, lines 51-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 27-25 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 27-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 55-13
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 16, 2024.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 31-47
What each side wants
San Francisco wants specific, measurable discharge limits in its permits.
EPA wants to use flexible goals that allow dischargers to choose methods.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 103, lines 51-35 — Transcript, file page 103, lines 51-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 27-25 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 27-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 55-13
What each side says
San Francisco argues Section 301(b)(1)(C) mandates specific effluent limitations.
EPA argues the statute authorizes both specific limits and flexible goals.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 103, lines 51-35 — Transcript, file page 103, lines 51-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 27-25 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 27-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 55-13
What the justices asked
Justice Kagan asked what the regulation actually does.
Justice Kagan questioned if the statute bans flexible approaches.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 19-45 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 19-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 43-25 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 43-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-51 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 51-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 55-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 55-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 47-9 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 47-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 51-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 33-41 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 33-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 55-41 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 55-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 51-11 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 51-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-31 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-53 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 43-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 9-15
Why it matters
This case defines how regulators enforce water quality standards. It determines whether facilities face fixed numeric caps or flexible performance targets. The outcome shapes compliance costs and environmental protection strategies nationwide.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 103, lines 51-35 — Transcript, file page 103, lines 51-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 27-25 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 27-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 55-13
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 19-45 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 19-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 43-25 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 43-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-51 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 51-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 55-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 55-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 47-9 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 47-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 51-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 23-27 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 23-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 33-41 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 33-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 55-41 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 55-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 51-11 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 51-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-31 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-53 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 43-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 9-15
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 103, lines 51-35 — Transcript, file page 103, lines 51-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 27-25 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 27-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 55-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 103, lines 51-35 — Transcript, file page 103, lines 51-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 52, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 27-25 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 27-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 55-13 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 55-13
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.